Country profile

COUNTRY FACTS*

Philippines Capital

Habitat for Humanity in Main country facts Gained independence in Since Habitat for Humanity Philippines started in 1988, it has served 1898 more than 140,000 families with decent housing. With significant scaling up of its activities, Habitat Philippines is able to help an Population Over 102.6 million average of over 25,000 families annually since 2013. Habitat and Urbanization 44.4 percent live its partners also provide families with improved access to clean in cities water, sustainable energy, healthcare, education and livelihood. In responding to natural disasters such as and earthquakes, Life expectancy 69.2 years Habitat Philippines aims to rebuild lives and increase resilience against future calamities. Unemployment 6.6 percent rate

The housing need in Philippines Population living 25.2 percent

In the Philippines, nearly four million families are living in unsafe, below poverty line ------unsanitary and unsustainable conditions. This was revealed in a housing roadmap study by the Philippines’ Subdivision and Housing *Source: World Factbook Developers Association in cooperation with the Center for Research and Communications–University of Asia & the Pacific. The Philippine HABITAT FACTS government’s current housing policy and mechanisms for housing subsidy have been deemed inadequate to resolve the rising housing When Habitat started in Philippines deficit. By 2030, the housing backlog will increase to about 6.5 1988 million units. Partnership between the Philippine government, private land developers, corporations and other organizations is key to the Individuals served in FY16 formation of a comprehensive and sustainable housing program to 57,215* *Includes construction and market development address the issue. Volunteers hosted in FY16 How Habitat addresses the need in Philippines 512,139 Habitat for Humanity works with government agencies, corporations, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based groups to build Housing solutions Urban renewal and development; homes and hope. As the Philippines is hit by an average of 20 typhoons youth leadership movement; ReBuild annually, responding to disasters is also a very significant part of program; awareness raising and Habitat’s work. These responses include a large-scale effort to help advocacy families affected by 2013’s Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) by providing them with permanent disaster-resilient homes. More Luzo n recently, following Typhoon Nock-ten (local name: Nina) that struck S t r a i t

Regional Office the country on December 25, 2016, Habitat Philippines will provide Capital and National Office house repair assistance to families in and Camarines Sur, two S out h C hin a of the worst-hit provinces. Habitat Philippines has also set its sights S e a Manila Philippine on reducing the total housing deficit in the country by 20 percent in Sea

2020. The official launch of the “WeBuild” campaign in January 2016 P H I L I P P I N E S enables Habitat Philippines to reach out to even more donors, partners Tacloban and volunteers across various sectors in achieving its organizational Negros Cebu goals. Habitat Philippines will further tap the power of social media Bohol in raising awareness of its work through the continuous support of S u l u de Oro S e a its Online Champions. By working alongside families to build homes, Zamboanga M o r o Davao Gul f international and local volunteers help to further Habitat’s mission to Autonomous Region C elebes S e a in Muslim Mindanao serve more families and create sustainable communities. M ALAYSI A ------Urban renewal and development ReBuild program

Under the regular housing and community develop- Habitat Philippines provides immediate and long- ment programs, Habitat Philippines brings together term solutions to affected families and those living Filipinos of different creeds, faiths and backgrounds in disaster-prone areas through its disaster response to join hands in developing sustainable communities. and risk mitigation program. In addition to building Habitat Philippines aims to lift Filipino families out of disaster-resilient homes and repairing damaged overcrowded, unhealthy living conditions or displace- homes, training is also conducted to help communities ment by providing them with decent shelter in healthy prepare for natural disasters and other calamities. communities. Awareness raising and advocacy Youth leadership movement Habitat Philippines believes that every Filipino has Young people play an active leadership role in the the right to decent shelter and promotes dialogue shelter sector. Through the Habitat Youth Council and between civic organizations, government, lawmakers, Habitat Young Leaders Build movement, they speak private sector, media and the academe to make out on the need for a nation-wide shelter program, shelter a priority. Filipinos are also stakeholders in one city at a time. Habitat Philippines’ effort to rally the nation to solve the housing deficit.

Meet a Habitat family

Their children’s safety was the top priority for Alvin and Princess who live in the coastal city of . Due to the constant threats of storms and flooding, Princess said they were fearful for their family’s well-being.

The couple learned about the work of Habitat for Humanity Philippines through Alvin’s mother whose house was rebuilt by Habitat after being destroyed by Typhoon Nesat (locally known as Pedring) in September 2011. They decided to relocate to a new house that was built under a partnership between Habitat for Humanity Philippines and the local authorities in Navotas. Assured of their family’s safety in a Habitat home, Alvin (left) and Princess plan to start their own graphic design Living in the security of a Habitat home, Alvin and Princess can business. now focus on their goal. “We want to start our own graphic design studio,” said Alvin, a graphic designer.

“With our children by our side, they continue to be our source To learn more about Habitat projects in the of inspiration to get us through whatever obstacles life throws Philippines or in other parts of the region, please at us,” he added. contact us.

What you can do

You can help the Filipino families improve their living conditions CONTACT by taking one or more of the following actions: Habitat for Humanity Philippines 5th Floor, 111 Paseo de Roxas Condo Building, DONATE Tower 2 USD $: habitat.org/donate/philippines Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi St., Makati City, 1229, Philippines VOLUNTEER Tel: +63 2 846 2177 Join one of the scheduled Global Village trips to the Philippines Fax: +63 2 856 5389 or lead your own. For more information go to: habitat.org/gv Email: [email protected] habitat.org.ph TITHE facebook.com/HabitatPhilippines Establish a strong and rewarding tithe partnership to help build twitter.com/HabitatPhils youtube.com/HabitatPhils houses globally! Quote PHILIPPINES on your checks sent to: Habitat for Humanity International, Attn: Affiliate Tithe, 121 Habitat instagram.com/HabitatPhils St. Americus, GA 31709